Re: Charging by Party Packages or by number of kids...

by Fun2Play on Thu Jan 19, 2012 8:32 pm

I've just made the transition from per hour to per child with a minimum booking fee of $99 - for up to 12 kids (11 guests + guest of honour). This includes face painting AND balloon twisting OR glitter tattoos. Plus $9 each additional guest. This is roughly 1.5 hours. But it takes the pressure off me somewhat.

I definitely prefer it this way. And more importantly, I think it makes it easier for the client (parent) to understand what is possible. I don't feel taken advantage of when they introduce an extra half dozen kids to mix. Sure, I'll paint the extras if I have time, but it will cost my client little extra. Or individuals can pay for their own...

Like Gamezgirl, I don't want the fast and furious experience for a birthday party. I think that kind of experience isn't fun for anyone! A corporate client will usually want you to paint as many as possible... but a private birthday party is more interested in quality and photo opportunities. Just my opinion.

by a face painting mom on Thu Jan 19, 2012 9:04 pm

I am in the middle of this transition too. From $75 an hour to 10 kids for $75 and each child after, $7.50. I seemed to be getting a lot of bookings for one hour parties, and they say that they would have ten, maybe twelve kids, and it was twenty... that, and a lot of adults getting in line to be painted! So, it just makes it more clear and easy for me to be relaxed about it, and not feel like I am looking for the host at every party to ask them what they want me to do...when I should be packing up instead, always a little weird.

by Miss Ronnie on Fri Jan 20, 2012 12:08 am

Boy, I've been trying to come up with the perfect formula for birthday parties and it seems I feel like I have to modify it all the time. I had almost the exact same formula as you, face painting mom.... $75.00 for 8 - 10 kids and $8.00 for every kid over that. Seems like it was working until I had to do a party with only 8 kids and I was there for almost two hours because there were three stories in the house and the kids were everywhere and it would take several minutes to find the next child. I couldn't make them line up at a birthday party, for Pete's sake. But I decided I would go back to hourly after that one.
bounce

by artyfacesbyluz on Fri Jan 20, 2012 4:53 am

For me it works the best 10 kids in an hour and I charge $5 additional kid, sometimes it takes more than an hour but the moms are sure about how many kids they will have and many times there are extras and moms are welcome to pay.

by FacialExpressionist on Mon Feb 27, 2012 12:53 pm

This post just helped me decide to raise my prices. I base my prices on an average of 15 kids per hour. $35 for my cheekies and $55 for full masks. Second hour (more than 15 kids) is 1/2 price. I've never had a complaint about my prices and apparently i'm pretty low so... Time for an adjustment!

by rosecanino on Mon Feb 27, 2012 3:23 pm

I offer party packages.
I come dressed as a character and do full faces
My prices are:
Under 10 $75
Under 15 $100
Under 20 $125
Under 25 $150
Under 30 $175
I also have listed on my site that I charge $75 for the first hour and $50 for each additional hour.
When I am hired for a corporate event I charge by the hour but for parties I like to do the package pricing. I don't like to feel like I am watching the clock. It ends up being very close to my hourly rate anyway.
Hope that helps!

by Britty on Tue Feb 28, 2012 10:04 am

Does anyone else feel like if you are charging by number of kids you are cheating yourself? I charge 90.00 an hour. If it is someone I know or they happen to get a discount card it is 10% off, and that is up to and including 10.00 kids. This is where you are supposed to make the most of your money. I don't feel bad if we go into a second hour, and just explain that before you go out for the job. I don't cut my second or third hour in halves. Your time is most valuable, and I think you are forgetting to factor that in...anyone else feel like this??

by Perry Noia on Tue Feb 28, 2012 10:45 am

If you feel that your package prices are cheating you on your hourly rates, then you probably need to raise your package price Wink

My packages work out pretty close to my hourly rates because I base them on what I know I can do in that time... but it makes it easier for parents (and me) if they know that no matter what happens, I guarantee that I will paint all the kids at the party because we agreed on that number ahead of time. I always make sure to give myself extra time between parties because I know that I will probably go over what I told them. I charge double my face painting hourly though when I'm doing a show because I wear myself OUT when I'm doing a show.... $75/hr for face painting/balloons and $75 for a HALF hour show (and I hate doing FULL hour shows... I am sooo spent after those).